Automatic labeling machine



June 22, 1954 s. R. PHIN ET AL AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 6, 1950 a whim km M Pa mr TQF m Mm M M 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 s. R. PHIN ET AL AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE June 22, 1954 Filed Max ch 6 1950 June 22, 1954 s. R. PHlN ET AL AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 22, 1954 s. R. PHIN ET AL 2,681,743

j AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 O O O Dona (cl C. Gnu/f0 ra/ x FIEAE. WEB

5. PHIN ET AL 10 Sheets-Sheet AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE June22, 1954 I Filed March 6, 1950 June 22, 1954 s. R. PHIN ET AL AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE I0 Sheets-Sheet '6 Filed March 6, 1950 FUSES.

June 22, 1954 s R p AL 2,681,743

AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIE-15.

[/l/f/l/l/l///// [hi en furs sane 7?. PM

June 22, 1954 R, MN 2,681,743

AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 E E' siawe/ R PAM/1 Dona [J C Cam/feral June 22, 1954 s. R. PHIN ETAL AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE 10 SheetsSheet 9 Filed March 6, 1950 FIBEZ lflr errfors Sidney RIP/rim Dona/01 c. call/fwd 749w FIELEEI.

June 9 s. R. PHIN ETAL 2,681,743

AUTOMATIC LABELING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 10- Patented June 22, 1954 sidney R. P-hin and Donald A.

- Ontario, Canada,

Caulford, Toronto,

assignors to Phin Sales Com- 1 pam]; Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application'March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,916

This invention relatestmamachine-for adhering labels to bottles, cans-'or-other containers,

and the principal obj ect-of the invention is to provide a completely dependable high capacity machine of this character which will be-rully automatic'to label bottlesprthelike in' a continuously moving uninterrupted stream-With the labels correctly and accurately "positioned and securely adhered against accidental dislodgement under immediate handling for packaging and shipping.

- Another impo'rtant object-is to provide a machineof the character"described-whichwill-operate without fear of damage to=thebottles or the lilrcbeing labelled avoiding "bottle breakage and yet utilizing suiiicient pressure for anex- 1 tendedperiod toeffect the requisite adhesive bond between the glued label' and thebottle "surface.

Still anotherimportantobjectis toprovide a machine fully adjustablefor the'placing of the labels in any desired position on abottle; can or the like.

It is another important object to provide a machine capable of labelling containers of diiierentdiameters, shapes and-sizes.

Still another object "is to provide a machine capable of labelling containers with labels 50f dif-= ferent sizes and shapes.

- With regard to these latter three objects; one

of-the essential aspectsofthe machine is'to provide for the rapid and simpleadjustment for handlingdiiferent container sizes andlocating labels indifferent positions and to provide for the simple interchangement of machine parts for applying different-types of labels with the prime object in View of providing a machine which can be both operated and adjusted by the ordinary Workman with reliance, requiring a minimum of his skill and time and minimizing machine stoppage time when changing for the labelling of different containers.

Still a further and'important object is to provide a machine which will accurately select a single label from astack and will apply the label to the bottle with its contiguous adhesive bottle side carrying an adhesive coating applied immediately prior to placement on the container tohave the correct viscosity and adhesive characteristics to-ensure a firm bond with 'theconr ta'iner as it is delivered from the machine.

In connection with this latter object, another of 'theimportant aspects of the invention" is to provide aninterdependence of themachine operation sequences-to 'autonriatically suspend ser *iection of the'labels for application upon inter- 11'Olaims. (Cl. 216-55) ruption ofbottlefeed into or through the machine, and to suspend adhesive application upon suspension oflabelselection without stopping the "required in-feed and out feed mechanisms which machine orinterrupting machine timing, elimi- -i1ating label wastage and improper application ofadhesive to foul the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide handling of containers received at the machine in"either-upright or horizontal position to be fed through'the machine by utilization of the may conveniently be synchronized to the machine" feed system.

The principal feature of a machine in accordance with this inventionresides in the provisionbf=co-ordinated mechanism effecting the moving of containers with their surfaces to be labelled oriented in the direction of motion, the

carrying "of labels into engagement with the container surfaces while moving at the same surface speed as the-containers and the application of pressure to maintain the label in intimate pressure contact with the container surface for a period while moving sufiicient to establish a firm adherence therebetween before being discharged.

The co-ordinated mechanisms according to the invention comprise an endless carrier for com tainer feed across a bed plate, a drum mechanism arranged above the carrier and driven to "have the same surface speed as the carrier and including means to carry a label to and. deposit it'on eachbf -the containers passing therebeneath, and a series of vertically reciprocal presser elements 'movingon an endless carrier above and at the samesurface speed as the container over an extended length of their travel and operated downwardly into label pressing relation upon arriving over the containers.

Associated with the driven mechanism the machine includes a label magazine, a sucker arm for withdrawing a singlelabel from the magazine to be picked up bythe drum magazine, and a-glue pot assembly'movable to apply adhesive to the unprinted surface of the picked up label as-the drum mechanism carries it to the con tainer.

It is another-important feature of the inventionto provide a -control operator for the sucker armto prevent its operation to withdraw a label upon interruption of feed of bottles or containers into the machine.

Another important feature resides in providing a control operator for the glue pot assembly controlled by a feeler mechanism detecting ab- 3 sence of a label on the driven mechanism to prevent operation of the glue pot to prevent undesirable application of adhesive to the drum surface.

Another important feature of the invention resides in a novel control arrangement for the bottle feed conveyor to effect relative movement between the conveyor container holders and drum surface and presser elements so that the position of the bottle or container arriving beneath the drum can be adjusted. to place the label correctly on the bottle surface.

A still further important feature consists in forming the drum mechanism in replaceable segments so that the label receiving surface of the drum can be quickly changed to suit the label shape and size to be applied.

It is a further feature of importance to provide for the co-ordinated relative vertical motion of the drum and presser assembly to accommodate the different sizes of containers to be handled.

A still further feature consists in providing a novel paddle wheel assembly for feeding upright bottles and the like into the machine to be transferred through the machine in a horizontal position for labelling and ejecting from the machine in correct aspect for desired handling or packing.

These and other objects and features of the invention and novel constructions of the machine parts will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of the machine.

Figure 2 is a plan View.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational detail of the glue pot assembly label drum mechanism, label magazine and sucker arm.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly of F1 ure 4.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the drum advanced to a different position.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figures 4 and 6 Figure 11 is an enlarged side elevational detail of the speed changing mechanism.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is an elevational detail of the swinging arm and pulley assembly of the mechanism of Figures 11 and, 12.

Figure 1 1 is an enlarged side elevational detail of the mechanism for adjusting the position of the endless carrier in relation to the labelling drum and presser pads.

Figure 15 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an end elevational detail of the mechanism of Figures 14 and 15 showing the supporting machine structure in transverse section.

Figure 17 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the presser pad assembly. I

Figure 18 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a vertical section on the line 19-19 of Figure 17.

Figure 20 is an enlarged elevational detail of the discharge end of the machine illustrating the paddle wheel assembly for righting bottles or the like delivered from the machine.

Figure 21 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a vertical section on the line 2222 of Figure 21.

Figure 23 is an elevational detail of the drive of the paddle wheel discharge of Figures 20-22.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of one of the peripheral drum segments carrying the label pad out to fit the label to be used.

Figure 25 is an elevational detail of the magazine latch for controlling feed in the magazine feed of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 26 is a side elevational detail on an enlarged scale of an in-feed mechanism used in place of the magazine of Figures 1 and 2 where the bottles or containers to be labelled are fed into the machine in an upright position.

Figure 27 is a plan view of the mechanism of Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a vertical section on the line 28-28 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a perspective view of one of the gripper jaws.

Figure 30 is a longitudinal vertical sectional detail through the main frame platform immediately beneath label drum showing the wear strips beneath the conveyor chain supporting the container while being labelled.

Figure 31 is an end elevational view of the label applying drum.

Figure 32 is a view similar to Figure 31 taken from the opposite end of the drum.

Figure 33 is a plan view of the drum.

Figure 34 is a vertical section on line 3434 of Figure 33.

Figure 35 is a section on line 3535 of Figure 34.

Referring to the drawings, the framework of the machine comprises a pair of identical upright frames 1 shown in elevation in Figure 1 and transversely spaced as shown in Figure 2.

Extending outwardly from each end of each frame is an arm 2. Secured to the inner faces of the frames l and arms 2 at their upper edges are longitudinal rails 3, Figure 3, and secured thereto are plates l which terminate each side of the centre line 5 of the main machine framework.

Extending across between the rails 3 at spaced intervals are transverse spacing bars 6. Supported by these spacers and arranged between the plates is a protective trough formation l which extends longitudinally of the machine to define a housing and guide for the endless carrier generally designated at 9 operating longitudinally of the machine. Forming the guide for the return reach of the carrier 9 are bars it and ii defining a guide ledge 12 and supported on the hangers is.

The endless carrier e is a flat top roller conveyor chain in which the chain lugs it carry the transverse plates 15 which overlie plates 6, and the rollers I-l of which ride on the rail 9' in travel across the upper surface of the main frame assembly and which ride on the guide ledges E2 in returning beneath the plates i.

The endless conveyor chain operates over sprockets It at each end of the machine, the details of the chain and sprocket at the entry end of the machine being shownparticularly in Figure 26.

- On certain of the plates l5 are' mounted removable lugs I l tosuit the containers 1 td be handled, and the plates immediately forw'ardof "the lugs 17 are providedwith metal VblockslShavinga v-shaped upperface 19; Figure 3.

Spacing the upright frames I "additionally to the bars 5 is the supporting platform 2G carrying the machine power drive, including, as shown in Figures 1- and 11, aimotor 2t, a variable drive mechanism 22 drivenby the-motor through a belt 23, and a reduction gear 24 driven from the variable speed control mechanism 22 throughthe be1t 25. Also operated from the motor 2| is a vacuum pump 26 to provide a vacuum for withdrawing alabel from its magazine as hereinafter described.

The variable speed drivemechanism '22 consists of a pivoted bracket arm 21 swingable about its pivot =28 at the platform and operated by the control shaft 29 passingthrough and rotatably supported by the arm 30 carried "by the frame I and anchored against longitudinal movement by the nut 3i each side of the arzri 30. "This varied, also tension on belt 25 to locate floating pulley it? to give the" desired pulley ratios between the variable speed mechanism 22 and the motor and reduction gear as iswell understood in the art.

Driven by the gear assemblyi l (not shown in detail) is a sprocketBS; Figure 12; arranged adjacent the rearward frame I.

'Journalledin the'frame lie the main drive shaft 40, Figures 1' and 8; extending transversely of the machine and carrying adjacent the rear frame a sprocket 4i engaged by the chaindrive -62 operating between the sprockets ll' -and 39. The maindrive shaft 40 projects forwardly of the machine and is provided with a hand wheel as for manual machine operation,

Carrier timing mechanism Figures 14-16 Suspended on the'underside of the spacing bar 6 is a flanged bracketplate 44 extending longitudinally of the machine. Pivoted in the boss 45 of plate 54 is a rock arm -46 operating through shaft 45' and arm 46 carrying sprockets M jcurnalled at the ends.

The outer end of the arm lit-carries a'threaded block 48 and carried in bracket-arm 49 and operated by a hand1e50 is a control shaft 5| having a threaded end '52 threaded through the block 48 to rock the rock arm 4'5.

The plate M'is provided with an arcuate slot 53 concentric with the boss 45 and bolt 54 and look not 55 carried by the arm 45 and operating in the slotfit serve to lock the rock arm in adjusted position. a

1 A collar 56 arranged on control shaft 5i bears i discharge end of the'machine.

control shaft against displacement. vertically in l the operation of the rock arm 46.

lVIounted on astud fiaisissanuidlercsprocket 5S whilea further.idler sprocket"Siltmounted for adjustment longitudinallyoi the plate. 44 is arranged beneath thelowerixof sprockets All.

Mounted on the mainrtdriver'shaft -Ml and aligned with sprockets 17;59 and is aisprocket wheel 5i and these sprockets align with sprocket W of the endless carrier mechanism 9 at the The drive between theTmain drive sh'ait 40 and sprocket i6 comprisesirthe chain drive 62 threaded as illustratedparticularlyin Figure 14 it around themain drive shaft sprocket GI; upper sprocket t? carried by truck arm 46, :then around idler sprocket '59 tos'procket 166 at the discharge end of the machine, back to idler sprocket fiii, around lower sprocket 4T of-the rock armand thence returning to sprocket '6 l.

t will be seen that by rocking arm' lfi the sprocket 15' can be retarded or advanced relative to sprocket t! so th'at the timing of :the endless carrier'inechanism canbe adjusted in relation tothe remainder of the-machinemechanism.

' Labeller base and elevating mechanism l'teferring to Figures 21, 9*and10, the labelling mechanism and pressureimechanisin is carried on a base orplatform 63 mounted on a pair of spaced rack bars =6islidably mounted in brackets 65 secured on the rearuprightframe I.

The upper brackets efica'rry dependingarms formed with journal bosses 67 supporting shaft 68 carrying spaced pinionsxfie meshing with 'the'rack surfaces!!! of the rack bars (Figure 9) The shaftiia carries a wormgear "H and extending transversely through and journalled in. theup- I right frames 5 is a height controlshaft 72 operated by hand wheel '13 and provided with a worm wheel it meshing with worm gear 1! (Figure 8). The

operation of elevatingshaft .12 therefore controls,

throughthe pinions69 and rack bars 64 described the elevation of the base orwplatform "$3.

The mechanisms carriedby platform 63 are driven from? the main drive shaft lli by theworm wheel 15 carried thereby and engaging aworm gear 76 mounted on a vertical shaft TL (Figures 8,

9 and 19). The worm gear'lfi is keyed on shaft 2? with keyway l8-permittingthe shaftto slide vertically relative to: worm gear le held from vertical movement'by the journal collars 19 of a bracket tein which .theshaft l? is supported.

The drives for the various mechanisms'carried by the platform 33 are derived from the shaft '5! driven in synchronism with the main drive shaft 430, as hereinafter described. It will be'seen that the bracket to includes an oil pan *fil containing oil for the lubrication of theworm wheelslt; and 16.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, mountedon the verticalszhaft l? adjacent'the platform 63 is a bevel gearii? meshing with bevel gear E3 carried by a stud shaft 8 5 on which is mounted a sprocket 85.

A chain 86 meshing with this latter'sprocket and passing beneathidler sprocket 2? adjustably mountedon platform 63 drives'through sprocket 83, label drum-shaft -al, extending transversely of the-platform and journalled in brackets?! and label drum bracket 9 i {Figures 2 and 5.

Label drum and gripper-mechanism The label drum; Figures 4", 6, Wand--24 and 31 to *2 35 and indicated generally at 92, is provided with peripheral flanges 93, Figures 33, 35. At each end of the drum at diametrically opposed relation are inwardly projecting pivot lugs 94. The inner end of the drum, Figures 32 and 35, is formed to provide boss 95 in which the label drum shaft 89 is received to fix the drum to the shaft.

Mounted in the pivot lugs 94 are shafts 36 on which are mounted bracket bars Q'I carrying triangular lugs 93, and intermediate their length are lugs 99 extending through openings I in the inner face of the drum and carrying cam rollers I3 I mounted on studs I02.

Connecting the triangular lugs 93 is a relatively stiff spring I53 tensioning the lugs inwardly.

Mounted on the bracket bars 9'! in angular relation to lugs 58 are gripper jaws I54 which project through openings I55 in the periphery of the drum and have right-angularly turned ends I55 divided by slot III'I, the purpose of which is hereinafter explained.

Extending transversely between the flanges 53 in diametrically opposite relation are anvil bars I38 with which the gripper jaws I3 co-operate. These anvil bars have a bevelled forward face I39 beneath the gripper jaws.

Mounted on the flanges 93' and abutting the rearward face of the anvil bars I08 are the arouate segments IIB carrying the label pads III of hard rubber or like material. The label pad shapes will of course vary in accordance with the shape of the label to be deposited, the pad being the same configuration as the label but of slight 1 smaller dimensions so that the label edge will overlie and project beyond the pad edge. Regardless of the shape of the label pad III it is provided with a subdividing central slot or groove H2 aligned with slot IIJ'I of the adjacent gripper jaw.

Mounted on but not fixed to label drum shaft 89 is cam M3 for actuating gripper mechanism and carrying arm Ild having slotted boss H5 at the upper end to receive clamping screw I I 5, clamping arm to the label drum bracket SI, permitting adjustment of cam H3 to operate the gripper mechanism, gripper jaws I54, through the cam rollers I5! carried by the bracket bars 91 and rolling over cam I I3.

Label magazine and sucker arm Returning to Figures 4 to '7, mounted on label drum bracket 9I is magazine bracket II? supporting magazine H8 to overlie the label drum 52 and including guide rods I I3 for guiding labels I25) to the bottom supporting ledge I2 I.

Mounted in bracket I I1 below and to the rear of magazine III; is a shaft I22 carrying at one end beneath the magazine a sucker arm I23 and carrying at the opposite end a lever arm I24. The sucker arm I23 has mounted thereon a vacuum chamber or box I25 connected by the hose line I25 with the vacuum pump 25 and perforated at its label contacting surface I2'I to apply suction to the bottommost label of the magazine. Upon rocking of shaft I22 sucker arm I23 is actuated to pull down a single label to place the forward end of the label in position to be gripped by gripper jaws I54, as hereinafter explained.

Extending between lever arm linkage (crank I33) and projection I28 on label drum bracket 3! is a tension spring I29 acting to rock sucker arm I23 away from the magazine to the position shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Pivoted on lever arm I24 is a threaded block I32 receiving threaded rod I3I threaded in pivot block I32 carried by bell crank I33 pivoted at I34 to label drum bracket 9 I.

The bell crank I33 carries roller I35 which engages on cam I36 mounted on label drum shaft 89. An adjustable stop I31 carried by label drum bracket SI limits the forward motion of the rod I3I and bell crank and consequent downward swinging motion of the sucker arm I23.

Pivoted adjacent the base of label drum bracket III is a vertical rock latch I33 controlled by a solenoid I39 to move upon energization of the solenoid clear of bell crank I33 having a head I42 normally held beneath bell crank I33 by spring IIII to prevent roller I35 from following cam I36 under urging of spring I29 until solenoid I39 is energized.

Energization of solenoid I39 is controlled by a switch I42, Figure 1, arranged to be operated by the entry of a bottle I43 or other container to be labelled into the machine. In Figure l a. gravity feed magazine is illustrated, and as shown in Figure 2 the bottles I43 are delivered by gravity onto the endless carrier 5 to contact a hinge plate I44 forming the contact operator of switch I42. Thus until entry of a bottle into the machine'the sucker arm is maintained up against the bottom of the magazine to prevent feed of a label to the label drum.

Glue pct assembly Referring to Figures 4 and 5, journalled transversely of the platform 53 forwardly of the label drum mechanism in sleeve bracket I45 is a shaft I41 carrying at one end sprocket I43 driven by chain I45 and sprocket I mounted on the label drum shaft 85.

Mounted on shaft I4? is the glue pot support bracket I5I to be rocked about the shaft extending through the end bosses I52. Supported on bracket I5I is glue pot I53 projecting beyond the inner end of the bracket and formed with a forwardly extending portion I54 aligned with the label drum 52.

Journalled in collars I mounted on the glue pot portion I54 is a roller I53 having shaft extensions, the one carrying a hand knob I51 and the other the gear I53 meshing with gear I59 mounted on the glue pot control shaft I41.

Extending from a transverse bar I55 secured to the support bases I5I of collars I55 are threaded studs I52 on which are mounted the coil springs I53 and scraper I54 having a right angle portion I55 forming the scraping blade maintained adjacent the periphery of roller I55 by the adjusting stop nuts I55, being urged outwardly thereagainst by the springs I63.

The roller I56 dips into the liquid carried by the glue pot and is driven through the drive shaft I41 and meshing gears I58 and I553. The drive shaft I4? is in turn driven from the label drum drive shaft 39, which in turn is driven from the vertical shaft I? by means of which the drive of the main drive shaft 45 is carried to the mech anisms mounted on the elevatable platform 33.

The whole glue pot assembly, including pot support bracket IEI and glue pot I53 secured thereto by clamp screw I5'I, together with roller I55 are adapted to rock on the glue pot drive shaft I41 into and out of engagement with the periphery of the label drum 52 in synchronism with the portion of the label drum carrying a label to be deposited arriving opposite the glue pot roller. To this end extending from one of the bosses I52 is a lever arm I pulled downwardly towards platform 63 by spring I69 to rock the glue pot mounted on stud i1 5 and rolling on cam llti mounted on the label drum drive shaft.

Feeler mechanism Controlling actuation of the glue pot assembly to follow cam I16 under tensionof spring I59 is a feelermechanism shownin Figures e to? 132thticularly. This mechanism comprises a tube anchored to label drum bracket 9 I. Mounted in this .tube is -a shaft H8 carrying at one end a feeler. arm lls aligned to ride in the slot tell of the gripper jaws and slot I I2 of the label pad in the absence .of a label.

Arranged to engage the label on each side of thefeelerarm I79 are rollers I89 carried in roller bracket Isl..-

Secured .to the shaft I18 opposite, ieeler arm I79 is aiibar 182i carrying at its lower end a rod I33 pivoted thereto and to pivotal latch ltd mountedgon platform .53 and. formed with a stepped-upper surface I85 which normally ongages under .set screw i86 extending through bracket portion lll of lever arm I58.

Normally maintaining the latch its. beneath set screw E86 .to \preventmovement of the glue pot into.lpositionvto-contact .the label drum is a torsion spring i887 anchored to collar I 8.9 ontube Ill and to shaft I18 .throughbar. itzito urge thafeelerarm .Il9 into. the. slots l! and H2 in the absence of a label. Uponpresence of..a label onpad. I ll the feeler armrides up the bevelled forward face It?) .of anvil bar H53 .onto the top ofthe label, rocking shaft. I78 clockwise, operate ing bar I 82 to force latch I as from beneath set screw we to permit the glue pot assembly to follow camI 16 to apply adhesive to the label.

Pressure unit assembly 1 Mounted on a bracket I99 carried-by platform 63 are a pair of vertically spaced horizontal plates lei of triangular formation separated by spacers I92, as shown particularlyin Figures 17 to 19.

Depending fromthe underside of the lower of the plates I9! is a reinforcing rib'l93.

The vertical shaft ll carrying the drive from the'main drive shaft M! to the mechanisms-of the checkinuts 205.. MOllIll78d1lOIi this latter shaft I 93 are sprockets 202.,

Driven bysprocketsl 95 and meshing withidler sprockets: l3? and 2:32: are .apair ofcchains 293 carryinguat :intervals the pressure :pad slide bracketsuzlle'l supported:therebetween in vertical orientation.

Carried (on :the; spacers &2 are supports: 1 2&5 adiacentx thecfront edgesxof plates Iillp Figures 17 and 19, is a guiderail 266 against-which the slide brackets 2M bear in moving with their endless chains along the fronts of the plates lQI.

Lugs 20? carried by the slides 253 i engage each side of the guide rail 286 to hold these slides against vertical movement.

Mounted in the upper plate lei: are spaced (3- shaped brackets or hangers 2M .carrying the front guide rail'2ll9 opposite rail are forming the rear guide rail. The slides 264 are thus accurately guided and supported .in their travel.

along the front of the machine.

Supported from upper plate I 9I at the forward edge is a bracket 2H3 having a horizontal'upper ilange 2! I.

Mounted for vertical adjustment on bracket 216 is a longitudinal cam 2I2 held outwardly by bracket are by spacers 2l3. The cam 2 I2 is held.

in adjusted vertical position by the set screws 2M.

Mounted in the slide brackets Ell l are slide bars 2i? carrying at their lower endsithe U: shaped pad holders-tit, Figure 19, on which are sleeved rubber tubing ill -to engage acontainer to be labelled while under tension:

Secured at their lower ends to the u holders Zi'b and at their upper ends to-the slidebrackets 294 are springs 2i8 urging the slide bars 2I5 upwardly to move the pressure pads as formed by the tubing 2H upwardly and maintaining the rollers EH9 carried at the upper ends of the slide bars 2I5 in engagement with-the cam:2I2.

In-feed mechanismsat the mouth or the machine may bearranged-to prevent bottle in-feed onto it the carrier. 9 until.

the lug M has cleared the mouth of theimagazine,

and this latch 222 can be conveniently operated" to clear the bottles by a cam 223 driven by the shaft driving sprocket iii of the endless carrier;

Where the in-feed is to handle bottles or containers in an upright position whenarriving at the machine the in-feed mechanism of Figures 26 to 28 is employed. plates 22 extend from the left-hand end of the machine between which is journalled a shaft 225 having mounted thereon gear 226 meshing with pinion 22'! driven by gear 22% mounted on shaft of sprocket 6.

The shaft 225 has mounted thereon a tumble wheel comprising a spaced pair of flanges 229 having sectors removed from diametrically opposed sections to provide the right angular steps 235i, shown particularly in Fig. 26.

The bottles M8 are shown advancingntowards the machine on an endless carrier 23I between the convergingguides 232 mounted on the up.

rights E33 extending above the plates l as extended and forming the base plate of the machine.

The bottles are delivered-by carrier 23b in posi tion to be received in one of the stepsZtfl of the paddle flanges as guided thereto by the guides The rotating movementof the paddle wheel upsets the bottle, as. clearly shown in Figure In this mechanism 1 side i The bottles then 1 I manner as the bottles delivered by the magazine 220.

In the event that jamming of the bottles at the tumble wheel in-feed should occur a suitable latch may be arranged to interrupt bottle movement against the tumble wheel until the wheel is positioned for bottle reception.

Out-feed mechanism At the discharge end of the machine it is desirable to deliver the bottles in an upright position after they have passed through the machine with their label-receiving surface inclined in the direction of motion.

Where the bottles are fed in by magazine 22b, in accordance with Figures 1 and 2, the tumble wheel assembly of Figures 20 to 22 is employed to upright the bottles.

Extending beyond the frames I at the discharge end are extensions of the rails 3 as supports carrying, journalled therebetwecn, a shaft 236 carrying a tumble wheel in the form of spaced flanges 231 having right angularly projecting arms 238 and operating between guide discs 239.

The bottles M3 are conducted by the endless carrier 9 through the guide 250 in position to be picked up by the arms 238 and uprighted onto the platform MI between the guides 2&2 on the discharge side of the tumble wheel. The drive of the tumble wheel comprises a gear 2&3 mounted on the shaft of the sprocket I3 of endless carrier 9, and a gear 244 mounted on shaft 236 and meshing with pinion 245 driven by gear 243.

Machine operation The bottles or other containers are fed to the machine to be deposited on the metal V blocks iii either by the gravity feed magazine of Figures 1 and 2 or the in-feed tumble wheel of Figures 26 to 28 in position to be advanced by a lug ll of the carrier. The V of the blocks it serve to ac curately align the bottles longitudinally of the carrier so that the labels will be correctly positioned. Entry of a bottle under the bottle weight is arranged to operate switch Hi2 either through the hinge plate 64 of the magazine assembly of Figures 1 and 2 or a suitable contact arranged in the path of the bottle in the tumble wheel infeed mechanism.

Energization of the switch operates the solenoid I39 to rock latch 538 clear of bell crank I33 of the sucker arm control mechanism to permit the roller 135 of the bell crank 533 to follow cam I36 to operate the sucker arm. As the bottle advances the sucker arm following the movement permitted by cam I36 moves downwardly from its position of Figure 4. As the bottle, which has energized by solenoid I39 continues to advance the sucker arm moves downwardly to withdraw a label I263 from magazine IIB leading it downwardly with its forward edge projecting be yond the vacuum box I25 of the sucker arm.

Referring to Figure 4, prior to the downward movement of the sucker arm the one gripper jaw Hi approaching the magazine label as the label drum S2 is rotated anti-clockwise is being actuated to open through cam I I3 and engaging roller IiiI carried by the supporting bracket bar 91 of the jaw. The opposing jaw Hi4 having moved beyond the magazine and with its roller IiiI riding off cam H3 has been actuated to the'shut position to clamp against anvil bar I08 by action of spring I83.

This latter gripper arm is shown as clamping a label I20 overlying the label pad I I I, but as the feeler arm I19 has not as yet been reached by the label the latch I84 has not been actuated to clear set screw I86 and the glue pot assembly, including roller I56, is maintained from movement about shaft Hi1 out of contact with the label drum.

Figure 6 shows the label drum revolved with the one gripper jaw in position ready to grip the forward edge of a label pulled down by the sucker arm I23. The other gripper jaw with the label in position has advanced partially passed roller I56 to receive an adhesive from glue pot I53, and it will be understood of course that the labels are fed to the label drum and are gripped with their reverse surfaces to receive the adhesive outwardly.

In the position of Figure 6 the label has passed beneath the feeler arm I19 operating latch I84 clear of the set screw I96, permittin the rocking of the glue pot assembly into position for application of adhesive by the spring I69.

Figure 7 shows a progressive step in the revolution of the drum. With the one gripper mechanism clamping the label with the label withdrawn from the sucker arm, the label carried by the othergripper jaw is shown advanced beyond the glue pot roller, and moving to adjacent the bottle surface, cam I16 has returned the glue pot away from the label drum, and spring I88 as permitted by the dropping of the feeler arm I19 off the label pad III has returned the latch 184 to beneath the stop set screw I86 to prevent subsequent operation of the glue pot assembly until the label overlying pad I II forces the feeler arm I19 out of slot I I2 to rise on top of the label.

It will be seen that the rollers 80 maintain the label in position on the pad as the feeler arm rides over the label, and with the label gripper between a jaw and anvil bar I88, and due to the bevelled forward face I09 of the bar the feeler arm will ride up smoothly on the label.

As the portion of the carrier 9 on which the bottle to be labelled is carried approaches the label drum it rides up on the supporting strips 233 cushion-supported on the resilient strips 268 so that the rollers of the chain clear the longitudinal bearing bar I5 and accommodate variations in container dimensions.

The surface speed of the periphery of the label drum and the surface speed of the bottle are precisely the same, as both the carrier and label drum are driven from the main drive shaft 40 through the drive mechanism described, and any 7 change in motor speed will be felt equally in these mechanisms. The label upon continued motion of the label drum is therefore brought into line contact with the bottle surface with zero relative velocity between the label and bottle in the direction of bottle movement, and the resilient strips 268 permit sufficient preessure without bottle breakage between the label drum and the bottle to provide sufficient adherence even in line contact to release the label from the drum as the gripper jaw is actuated to open by its cam I I3. As the bottle moves beyond the labe1 drum it rides down off the resilient supported strips 261 and beneath a pressure pad ZI'I as the presser is operated downwardly by cam 2I2 into pressure contact with the label and the bottle while conforming to the rounded bottle surface, as particularly shown in Figure 16.

Again the pressure pads 2 I1, operated in their 3 slide brackets 204 by cam 2I2 for application of assume labelling pressure, move longitudinally. of, the.

traveland. hence over an extended interval. of

time Without:relativemotion between the pres.- sure: applicator. and: the label and bottle, sothat the label is firmly-adheredbeiore pressure release.

Atthe dischargeendcf the machine: the bottles are .uprighted, with1the. tumble. wheel assembly ofiFigures 20 130122;

Themachine. may be operatedat any desired speed through control of the hand wheelfiit 0perating the motor drivecontrol mechanism 22 of Figures. 1 and 11 to 13 While the surface speed of thepe-riphery of the label drum, the presser pads and'the carriers are maintained at all timesequal, the timing between the carrier and the label drum and also the presser pads. can be controlled to deposit the labels in the correct positionon the bottles. This timing; mechanism of Figurssrleto 16 and operated by handwheel 50 to rock rock armctto advance or retard the endless carrier relative the main drive shaft iilpermits an accurate and instant control of this timing relation.

In the event of interruption of bottle feedinto the machine solenoid lililwill remain tie-enerized and rock latch I33 as held by spring MI will prevent operation of the sucker arm [23 to prevent a labelfrom being pulled down to be gripped by one of the jaws Inc of the label drum mechanism.

The absenceof the label will permit feeler arm M9 to ride in slot I 12 provided in the label pads l I I, maintaining latch lltinoperative to prevent actuation of the glue pot assembly againstthe label drum. Thus the absence of a bottle automatically functions'to prevent label feed and subsequent adhesive application to prevent wastage of labels and blocking of the machine by the adhesive.

In the event the shape of the label is, to be changeclthedrum segments I it are removed and replaced by similar segments bearing label pads ill conforming inoonto ur to the new label to. be used but of slight/er smaller dimension and sub divided by the groove or slot I !2.

In the event the bottles are tobe changed platform 53 and the mechanismsinounted thereonare adjusted in height according to the diameter or dimension ofthe-new bottle or container. This adjustment is carried out by operating hand Wheel liito operate rack barsii i carrying the platform. Elevation of the platform 53 does not alter the driveof the mechanisms on the platform as driven by the main drive shaft 69 through a vertical shaft 'i-l with keyway i8 permitting relative movement between shaft H and worm wheel 16 driven by the worm or spiral 15 or the main drive shaft.

With the machine alight pressure on the bottle by the label drum permits-a label tobe adhered sufficient-lyto the bottle along the line contact to ensure that the label leaves the drum upon opening of the gripper-jaw use without displace ment on the bottle surface untilthe presser pads 2E1 engage and conform into the shape of the bottle surface to firmly press the label-througnout its-entire surfac-earea into bottle contact and to-maintain such-pressureover an extended pe riod" suiiicient to effects. the secure adhesion of the label in position.

It is to be noted that by bringing thelabel into 14 contact with the bottlesurface while travelling in the direction of the bottle at precisely the same surface speedand by bringing pressure on the deposited label by a pressure element moving also with the same surface speed as the bottle, the

labelling is done Without interruption of bottle movement through the machine. The machine has been found to operate efficiently by virtue of the continuous bottle movement at a rate of over one hundred bottles per minute with. bottle breakage negligible. By cushioning the bottle beneath the. drum and by providing the yielding pressure pads the bottle breakage on extended tests has een. essentially completely eliminated. This is an important factor over present machines where bottle, breakage is exceedingly high and where the capacity of the machine is reduced to a small proportion of the capacity of the present machine feed through the machine is uninterrupted at any stage of the labelling.

It will be understood that various modifications of the machine may be made without departing from the scope oi? theinvention.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A machine of the class described comprising a main frame unit, a motor mounted on said frame, a main drive shaft driven by said motor, an endless chain conveyor operating longitudinally of said main frame, a drive between conveyor and main drive shaft, a platform sup portedabove saidmain frame for vertical sliding movement, elevatingmeans operating said plat-' form vertically; a vertical drive shaft carried by said platform, a spiral drive between said main vertical drive shaits permitting vertical niotion of said vertical shaft, a labeldrum rotatably mounted on said platform and overlying said conveyor, a drive between said vertical shaft label drum to drivesaid drum at the surface speed of said conveyor, a label magazine mounted above said drum, a sucker device associated with said label magazine and movable to withdraw a label therefrom, a gripper mechanism carried by said label drum and operated to grip a label withdrawn by said sucker device and to release upon carrying a label. a container on said conveyor therebetween, and a; gluepot assembly including a glue roller rochabiy mounted. on said platform to move, into contact, with the label held by said gripper mechanism, means actuated by reception of a container on said conveyor to render, said device operative to withdraw a label from said magazinenreans actuated by a label grippedby said gripper mechanism for ren der ing said gluepot assembly operative to rock. into label contact position, presser nieans supported on said platform for movement above said conveyor overan extended length of conveyor, travel beyond saiddrum and driven from said vertical shaft at the surface speed of said conveyor.

2. A machine claimed in cl 1 in which the drive between said main driveshaft and conveyor comprises a shaft on which a conveyor sprocket is mounted, a drive sprocket on said shalt, a drive sprocket on said main drive shaft,

a rock arm pivoted intermediate its length be tween drive sprockets, idler sprockets mounted on each end of said rock arm, a pair of fixed idlersprockets, a drive chain extending between said drive sprockets and having each reach therebetween passing around an idler sprocket oil-said arn'l and-a fixed idler sprocket to provide a double reverse-insaid reach, and means operating said to root: said idlers carriedthereby.

3. A: machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the presser means comprises an endless carrier operating in the vertical plane supported on said platform and extending, for a reach of its travel over said conveyor and driven by said vertical shaft, vertical slide brackets carried by said car rier, bars vertically slidable in said brackets and formed with inverted U lower ends, a yieldable material closing the U of said lower ends, spring means urging said bars upwardly of said slide brackets, and cam means operating said bars downwardl when. over said conveyor.

4. A. device as claimed in claim 1 in which. said chain conveyor comprises a roller chain having links form-ed with bearing plates, V blocks mounted on certain of said plates, lugs mounted on other of said plates, and said main frame is provided with resiliently supported wear strips lo cated beneath said drum and over which plates ride to resiliently support conveyor under pressure of said drum on a container mounted on said V blocks and engaged by one of said lugs.

5. In an automatic labelling machine, the combination of an endless carrier moving in uninterrupted motion, a rotatable drum mounted above said carrier and provided with one or more gripper jaws adapted to be operated into and out of gripping relation, means for operating said jaws at definite times during rotation of said drum, a label magazine, a sucker device adapted to withdraw a label from said magazine into the path of said gripper jaws to be gripped thereby, means controlled by the presence of a container on said carrier to operate the sucker means at definite times during rotation of said drum, a glue pot assembly rockably mounted adjacent said drum and adapted to be rocked into position to apply adhesive to a label carried by said jaws, and means actuated by the presence of a label gripped by said jaws to rock said glue pot, the whole operating for the purpose of delivering a label presenting a tacky side from said magazine to a container on said carrier while moving the label and container at the same surface speed.

6. An automatic labelling machine comprising the combination of an endless carrier moving with uninterrupted motion and adapted to carry containers with their surfaces to be labelled presented lengthwise of the carrier, a rotatable drum mounted above said carrier rotating at the surface speed of said carrier and provided with one or more gripper jaws adapted to be operated into and out of gripping relation, means for operating said jaws at definite times during rotation of said drum, a label magazine, a device adapted to withdraw a label from said magazine into the path or" said gripper jaws to be gripped thereby, means controlled by the presence of a container on said carrier to operate said device at definite times during rotation of the drum, means operable to move into contact with a label held by said jaws to render said label tacky, means actuated by the presence of a label gripped by said jaws to effect movement of said latter means into label contaoting position, pressure means moving above said carrier at the speed of said carrier and vertically slidable into label and container pressing position, and means effecting vertical operation of said'presser means into and out of label pressing relation.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which a timing apparatus is provided to control the timing relation between said carrier and said drum and presser means. I r

8. A machine of the class described comprising a main frame unit, an endless carrier mechanism" operating longitudinally of said main frame to conduct a container through the machine, drive means driving said carrier, a platform, rack bars vertically slidable relative said main frame supporting said platform above said main frame for vertical adjustment, an elevation shaft journalled in said main frame, pinion means driving said rack bars from said elevating shaft, an extensible drive from said main frame to said platform and driven from the aforesaid drive means, a rotary label-applying device carried by said platform and overlying said carrier, an endless carrier mounted on said platform and extending for a portion of its travel over the aforesaid carrier, presser means "carried by said secondmentioned carrier and mounted for vertical reciprocation, means connecting said extensible drive with said rotary label-applying device and said second endless carrier to drive same in speed synchronism with said first carrier, and timing means interposed in said first-mentioned carrier drive means to adjustably advance and retard said first-mentioned carrier relative said labelapplying device and presser means to correctly register containers on said first-mentioned carrier with said label-applying device and said presser means.

9. A machine for labelling containers comprising in combination, an endless carrier to conduct a container in linear straight line motion through the machine, rotary label-applying means mounted at a fixed point above said carrier to deposit a label on a container on said carrier,

presser means mounted to travel in a linear straight line path above said carrier for a portion of its travel, said presser means being vertically reciprocal towards and away from said carrier, means driving said endless carrier, means driving said label-applying and presser means above said carrier at the surface speed of said carrier, and means interposed in said carrier driving means to adjustably advance and retard said carrier relative said label-applying and presser means to correctly register containers on said carrier with said and label-applying presser means. a

10. In a machine for labelling containers, an endless chain conveyor, label-applying means ar ranged above said conveyor to deposit a label on a container carried by said conveyor, presser means mounted to travel above said conveyor and vertically reciprocal to move towards and away from said conveyor, drive means operating said conveyor and presser means at the same speed of travel, the drive means for said conveyor including an endless chain drive connecting a driving sprocket to a driven sprocket connected with said conveyor, and means to control the timing relation between said conveyor and said presser means comprising a rock arm pivoted intermediate its length between said sprockets, idler sprockets mounted on each end of said rock arm, and a pair of fixed idler sprockets, said endless chain having each reach between said firstmentioned sprockets passing around an idler sprocket on said arm and a fixed idler sprocket to provide a double reverse in said chain reach, and means operating said arm to rock said idlers carried thereby.

11. A machine for labelling containers comprising in combination, an endless carrier to conduct a container in linear straight-line motion through the machine, a platform vertically adjustable above said carrier, means for vertically adjusting said platform, rotary label-applying means mounted at a fixed point on said platform above'said carrier to deposit a label on a container on said carrier, presser means carried by said platform and mounted to travel in a linear straight-line path above said carrier for a portion of its travel, said presser means being vertically reciprocal towards and from said carrier, means driving said endless carrier, means driving said label-applying and presser means mounted on said platform above said carrier at the surface speed of said carrier, and means interposed in said carrier driving means to adjustably advance and retard said carrier relative said label-applying and presser means to correctly register containers on said carrier with said label-applying and presser means.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Fischer July 29, 1919 Kallenbach Dec. 29, 1925 Nejedly Aug. 28, 1928 Schroeder Mar. 18, 1930 Arelt et al Apr. 16, 1935 George July 25, 1989 Arelt Oct. 21, 1941 Talbot Apr. 21, 1942 Blackstone Dec. 14, 1943 Everett Dec. 25, 1945 

